2011 News Archive

Year 2011 for Telugu Association of Utah had been filled with many activities. All this was possible due to the unconditional support and participation of many of you. The 2011 Board would like to thank and appreciate your kind support. Use the following link to access the report.

In continuation of the support to the local community, Telugu Association of Utah donated $1800 to the Kearns School District in support of the needy children. 2011 summer sports were conducted by Telugu Association of Utah to raise money for this cause. Telugu Association of Utah thanks and appreciates the help of the Sports Committee in this regard.

Project Annapurna Food Drive Update

posted: 04/17/2011

So far we have collected approximately 1300 lbs of canned food. So we are aiming high to reach a new target of 2000 lbs.

Please make your generous contributions to help the unfortunate people.

Request to take/renew TAU membership

posted: 04/16/2011

With the Ugadi Utsavam 2011 around the corner, we use this occasion to sincerely request each and every one of you to take / renew TAU membership. Please avail discounts while purchasing tickets for any of our TAU annual events. More than the discounts please note that every single penny of your membership contribution will be used solely for Charity. Being a 501 (c)3 organization, any donations including membership fees are tax deductible. This is an organization formed for the purpose of serving the Telugu community, and this can only be done when we are all actively involved in this organization.

Being a member of TAU not only gives you the right to voice your concerns, but also your contributions will make TAU better. So, we request you all again to do your individual part in shaping TAU into a wonderful organization that all Utah Teluguites can be proud of.

Essay, Elocution, and Painting Competition for Kids

posted: 04/08/2011

As a part of the Ugadi Vedukalu - 2011, Telugu Association of Utah is conducting the following events for kids (Ages 15 and below). Winners will be adjudged in Junior (8 years to 15 years) and Sub-Junior (8 years and below) categories. Registration is open from today to the day of the competition and walk-ins are also welcome.

Topic: "Traditions of Ugadi"; In this essay, the kid has to explain the different traditions in practice in the telugu families around the world. These might be traditions that are performed by everybody or could be specific to one family.

Language: English

Word Limit: Juniors Category- 250 words minimum

Sub-Juniors Category - 150 words

Time Duration: 45 Mins

Date: April 17th, 2011

Papers will be provided for writing the essay, please bring your own writing instruments. Please be at the venue atleast 30 minutes prior to the start of the event, to finish registration and check-in. Walk-ins at the event are also welcome.

Elocution

Topic: "Ugadi Pramukhyata"

Language: Telugu

Time Duration: 2 mins

Date: April 17th, 2011

Please be at the venue atleast 30 minutes prior to the start of the event, to finish registration and check-in. Walk-ins at the event are also welcome.

Painting/Drawing Competition

Topic: "Ugadi Sambaralu"

Time Duration: 1 hour

Date: April 17th, 2011

Categories- Juniors: Water Color paintings

Sub-Juniors: Crayon drawings

Papers will be provided for the painting, please bring your own painting/drawing instruments. The kids can paint/draw with water colors, crayons, pencil etc. The area allocated to the kids should be cleaned up at the end of the evet, with the help of parents. Please be at the venue atleast 30 minutes prior to the start of the event, to finish registration and check-in. Walk-ins at the event are also welcome.

Celebrate New Year With the Joy of Giving - Project Annapurna

posted: 04/05/2011

As we start our new year ‘Srikhara’, let us join hands and give to those in need. To tap into the generosity of our people at the dawn of the New Year, Telugu Association of Utah is organizing a food drive “Project Annapurna” benefiting those who are in dire straits.

TAU needs your support in donating food to the Utah Food bank as part of "Project Annapurna".

We have a mighty target of 750 lbs of food. Let us aim to make “Project Annapurna” a grand success like last year. No contribution is too small when it comes to food since for a fraction of cost it contributes to great joy. The joy of giving is the best way to have a fresh start for the new year.

This time we are also taking up “Clothing Drive” at the same time as the food drive. Clothing donations are needed by many low-income and homeless families in our area. Your donation can make a big difference in the lives of children and adults in need. Clothing donations should be clean, undamaged, and reasonably wrinkle free.

At this time, we are only collecting “Western” clothing. We would also be doing a separate clothing drive for “Indian” clothing in the near future.

If you have any ideas on charitable and service activities, please do not hesitate to email charity@taofu.org

Email us at ec@taofu.org if you are interested in joining the above mentioned volunteers in shaping the charitable wing of Telugu Association of Utah.

Thank you all for participating in the Ugadi celebrations at the Temple

posted: 04/05/2011

Hope you all had a joyous Ugadi on Monday. The celebrations at the temple were wonderful and all the credit goes to your participation and support. Thanks to you all on behalf of Telugu Association of Utah.

We would also like to recognize and appreciate our fellow Telugites who took time to cook food (prasadam) and help serve the prasadam at the temple.

Haritha and Diwakar Nandiraju

Kalpana Jonnalagadda

Deepthi and Sarath Dandala

Sudha and Balaji Sudabattula

Renu Bandiathmakur

Sridevi Vankayalapati

Krishnaveni Manchala

Indrani Reppalevenkat

Usha Yarasi

Parvathi Vojjala

Bharathi Pusapati

Sumitha Bhavaraju

Rohini Vinnakota

Srividya Suram

Gangalakshmi Golakoti

Anjibabu Paritala

Sagarkavi

Ravi Darbhamulla

Ashok Alluri

and many others, whose names we could not capture.

We thank you all for your commitment towards the Telugu community and Sri Ganesha Hindi Temple of Utah.

If you have any questions /concerns / comments, please feel free to mail us at ec@taofu.org

Ugadi Celebrations at the Temple on April 4th

posted: 03/28/2011

Come visit the temple on Monday, April 4th to celebrate UGADI and join in a communal prayer for good health and prosperity for one and all in the coming year. Of course you can listen to the panchangasravanam to know what is in store for you next year.

The festivities will start at 7:00 PM at the temple followed by potluck prasadam to mark the celebration.

It will be great if we telugus turn-up in large numbers and bring our traditional cuisine of this festival like pulihora, dhadhojanam and boorelu, and even the Ugadi Pachchadi as prasadam.

We ask prospective prasadam makers to email us at ec@taofu.org and indicate which dish you will be preparing.

Charitable Activities Planning Meeting - Come and share your ideas

posted: 03/25/2011

As you all know, Telugu Association of Utah (TAU) has achieved the 501(c)(3) status and is now recognized by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) as one of the charitable organizations in the state of Utah.

In the recent survey conducted by the TAU Board, many of our Telugu friends expressed the need for a charitable arm to spearhead various charitable and service activities. To fulfill this request, TAU Board proposes the formation of a “Charitable and Service” committee. Some of the suggested activities of the committee can be the following:

Define and set goals for the “Charitable and Service” Committee

Initiate and organize various service activities throughout the year

Working with other charities, local as well as in India

Fundraising through collaboration with local businesses and individuals

The Board is planning a meeting on Sunday April 3rd 2011 at 5.30 PM. We request fellow Telugites to come forward and be part of the discussion and share your valuable ideas.

If you have difficulty in reaching the venue, please contact Sai Bhavaraju at (801) 208 9491.

If you are unable to attend the meeting, please email your ideas to ec@taofu.org

We appeal to you all to be part of this endeavor and make the TAU charitable cause a success and also enrich your lives by serving the needy.

Manava Seve Madhava Seva - "Service to Humanity is Service to GOD"

Deepest condolences on the demise of Dr. Subba Rao Adusumalli, a Patron of Telugu Association of Utahposted: 03/14/2011

Telugu Association of Utah (TAU) and Telugu community expresses its deepest condolences on the demise of Dr. Subba Rao Adusumalli, a prominent member of the Indian community, especially the Telugu community.

Dr. Rao was one of the pioneers of Utah Telugu community and instrumental for the formation of TAU. Prior to formation of TAU, Dr. Rao brought Telugu people together by organizing various community gatherings. Dr. Rao and his family always welcomed new Telugu families and students in the Salt Lake Valley with their warm hospitality.

Telugu Association of Utah mourns the loss of a true community leader. Our heartfelt sympathies are with his family. May his soul rest in peace.

Funeral services will be held at 4:00PM on March 16, 2011 (Wednesday) at:

Larkin Sunset Lawn Mortuary

2350 East 1300 South

Salt Lake City, Utah 84108

(801) 582-1582

Ugadi Vedukalu 2011posted: 03/05/2011

"Ugadi Vedukalu 2011" a fundraiser cultural extravaganza would be celebrated on Saturday 04/30/2011 at the LDS Church located at 951 E 100 S, Salt Lake City, UT 84102 (map)

The cultural committee is seeking entries for the following, but not limited to, cultural categories:

Dance: Classical/Folk/Movie/Foot-tapping

Singing: Classical/Folk/Movie/Album songs

Skits: Entertaining comedy/showcasing our culture and values

Instrumental performances

Fashion show for children and adults: The tentative theme is "Traditional Dressing"

Stand-up comedy

Mimicry

Or any other talent that can be done on-stage or off-stage to entertain the audiences.

Others: any information that would help cultural committee understand your performance.

Duration of the item.

Committees Announcedposted: 03/05/2011

We are happy to introduce the following committee members who came forward to form the respective committees. They will play a prominent role in making this event a cultural extravaganza as well as other events during the year.

The Cultural committee will be responsible for organizing entertainment/educational programs that showcases Telugu culture and heritage. The members should plan a well-balanced program at a cultural event such as “Ugadi Function” or “Telugu Utsav”. They also need to orchestrate the onstage activities by bringing in people with unique talents to organize different types of performances.

The interested members can also take up other activities that promote Telugu culture such as language & literary workshops, music & dance competitions, and plays & dramas.

Ownership:

Program planning and onstage execution of the program at a telugu cultural event

TAU was formed 4 years back to provide the ever growing Telugu community a forum to associate with our cultural heritage and values. To achieve this goal, we need to take up popular and worthwhile activities that are of interest to the Utah Telugu community

We are inviting people interested in increasing the visibility and capability of TAU to come forward and form the “Public Relations and Fundraiser Committee”.

The “Public Relations” aspect of this committee involves creating awareness in our community about TAU’s activities and potential so that many from our community will join TAU. The committee member will not only act as a spokesperson for TAU but also receive feedback from the community on ways to improve the TAU’s image and usefulness.

Sufficient funds are required for TAU to expand its activities. The “Fundraiser” aspect of the committee member’s role involves efforts that bring in money, sponsorships and services. A successful fundraiser committee ensures that TAU can take up many more activities.

Do you want to organize a “Ghantasala Aradhanotsava” kind of musical/classical event? Or are you interested in organizing “Vana Bhojanalu” for the Telugu folks? Perhaps you prefer to organize a grand cultural event like “Telugu Utsav”. Well, here is a proposition for you:

We are requesting people interested in organizing various cultural/entertainment activities to come forward and form an “Event Organizing Committee”. Committee members need to come up with an event that all teluguites will enjoy; take charge of planning; get the necessary help; and organize with minimum necessary input from TAU executive committee.

What do you own?

Inception, planning and overall execution of any event (no limits on creativity)

Logistics of any event

What is expected?

Setup repeatable guidelines on how to execute an event end-to-end with suggested time lines and best practices.

Work with board to identify/form subcommittees and coordinate with them to execute the event.

**Note: The above bulleted information is preliminary and the final details will be compiled with you.

At the outset of this year, we sent the following introductory e-mail to the telugu community:

“This year we want the Telugu community to actively engage in executing the charter of TAU along with us. Each and every one of you has many wonderful ideas and talents to take TAU to the next level. We will give our best to collaborate and facilitate in bringing forward your ideas and talents. If we succeed to make this happen, then rest assured that we as a community will be able to organize various worthwhile activities and have fun at the same time.”

In the spirit of the above statement, we take this opportunity to inform you regarding our approach towards executing various activities this year using committees. In near future, there will be e-mails sent out for nominations to form specific committees.

Below is the list of committees, but not limited to or in any specific order of importance, that we are planning to form this year.

We have defined the preliminary ownership and responsibilities for each of the committees. The details will be finalized with the input from the respective committee members. Our main goal is to give considerable freedom and ownership to the committees.

We request each of you to embrace this concept and not only nominate yourselves in the committees of your choice but also encourage others to join.

Community Survey
posted: 01/16/2011

We are seeking your inputs to plan the future activities of our Telugu Assocoation of Utah. In this regard, we put together a small questionnaire. Please note that this questionnaire is completely anonymous and we do not capture any personnel information of the respondent. We appreciate your candid opinions and comments.

Please note that the questionnaire would be closed end of 1/25/2010. TAU Board sincerely thanks you for your time and input.

Recognizing Sankranthi Volunteers
posted: 01/16/2011

Hope you all had a wonderful Sankranthi. The Celebrations at the temple were all a great success and all the credit goes to your participation. With out your participation it wouldn’t have been so successful. Thanks to you all on behalf of TAU.

Also we would like to appreciate and recognize the patronage of the following volunteers who volunteered for different activities on the day.

Hyma and Anjibau Paritala

Sudha and Balaji Sudabattula

Haritha and Diwakar Nandiraju

Mrs and Mr. Kiran Palagiri

Swarna and Mahesh Pokala

Mrs and Mr. Harish Devulapalli

Bharathi and Srinivasa Dara

Rohini and Amarendra Vinnakota

Srividya and Srikant Kalla

Kalpana and Santosh

Renu and Guru Bandiathmakur

Sridevi and Hari Vankayalapati

Mrs and Mr. Sampath Chitakayala

Mrs and Mr. Raj Gopal

Mr and Mrs. Rajani Gangapuram

Also recognize all others who got food or helped during the day.

Thank you all for all the commitment towards the Telugu community and SGHTU.

Help with various arrangements, serve food and general help with the celebration

We ask prospective volunteers to email ec@taofu.org. For any further questions please contact Amar Vinnakota (908-922-2565) or Ravi Suram (801-635-0770)

2011 Executive Committee Introductory Message

posted: 01/02/2011

Dear Telugu Community,

We wish you all a Very Happy and Healthy New Year.

First of all we want to thank the 2010 executive board - Harshavardhan Reddy P, Anjibabu Paritala, Ravi Darbhamulla, Srinivasa Rao Dara, Gangalakshmi Golakoti for their hard work and spirit of service in organizing many charitable, cultural and sports activities.

This year we want the Telugu community to actively engage in executing the charter of TAU along with us. Each and every one of you have many wonderful ideas and talents to take TAU to the next level. We will give our best to collaborate and facilitate in bringing forward your ideas and talents. If we succeed to make this happen, then rest assured that we as a community will be able to organize various worthwhile activities and have fun at the same time.

As a first step towards our mutual engagement this year, we would be seeking your ideas and comments in the form of a short survey in near future.